US coffee culture is characterized by its grab and go style. Aside from the occasional connoisseur interested in where the beans come from and how they're brewed, and whether or not the coffee is
Fairtrade, most Americans consume coffee without pausing to enjoy whatever is in their cup. This is wholly unlike Swedish coffee culture. The Swedes have even invented a word to explain their love, appreciation, and, perhaps, obsession with coffee:
fika. Fika is both a verb and a noun. You can ask a friend to meet for a fika, or you can suggest that you two go fika together. Either way, the point is that it is a purposeful break, usually in the afternoon, where people take time to actually sit down and enjoy their cup of coffee - preferably with a friend and a pastry as well! Furthermore, it is often over a fika where colleagues bond and solve work problems in a casual and relaxed setting.
Such an indulgent break is a rather rejuvenating experience. In fact, one of the easiest customs for me to adopt since moving to Sweden is that of the fika. Rather than simply injecting espresso straight into my veins as I did in the US to be able to maintain my stamina while working, I much prefer the relaxed and pleasurable method of the fika. The overworked masses of the US could use some relaxation, and it could easily start with some carefully tended coffee beans served with a nice tart or danish.
Please, Americans, bring the fika to the US! Stop getting your coffee in to-go cups! Sit down and actually enjoy yourselves!
FYI, my personal recommendation for the perfect fika in Lund is
Ebbas.
Photos from http://www.ebbasskafferi.com/
